So far, despite a number of research studies now underway, there are no definitive answers on how to prevent Type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is another story. You can reduce many of the risk factors that increase your chances for developing the condition. Poor lifestyle habits such as a bad diet and lack of exercise can increase your chances for getting diabetes. Other nonnutrition related risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include being over the age of 45, having a parent or sibling with the disease, being of Latino, Native American, African American, or Pacific Islander descent, and, in a woman, having polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Menstrual irregularities Hyperandrogenism Oligo- amenorrhea Chronic anovulation In overweight women conceiving after in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, miscarriage rate is also reportedly higher in obese compared with lean or average weight women. A systematic review of the literature by Maheshwari et al. 11 found that when compared with women with a BMI 25 kg m2, women with a BMI 25 kg m2 had a 29 lower likelihood of pregnancy and a 33 higher risk of miscarriage following IVF. In this same study, obese women were found to have a reduced number of oocytes retrieved despite requiring higher doses of gonadotropins. Mechanisms for the relationship between obesity and infertility are unknown. Suggested roles of hyper-androgenism, insulin resistance, high leptin levels, and polycystic ovarian syndrome are currently under investigation 12 . Regardless of mechanism, these data suggest that obesity may delay or prevent conception in women who want to become...

SGA, small for gestational age IDM, infant of diabetic mother LGA, large for gestational age PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome GH, growth hormone. Genetic Background and Genetic Disorders Positive family history High risk ethnic group Girls boys Genetic syndromes Ovarian hyperandrogenism and PCOS Cushing's syndrome GH excess Hyperprolactinemia Thus, the differentiation of type 2 diabetes from type 1 diabetes can be challenging and is in some cases impossible at the present time. Certain historical and clinical findings may, however, be informative. First, children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes are very likely to have first- and second-degree family members with adult-onset type 2 diabetes. Second, peripubertal children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes, in contrast to children with type 1 diabetes or MODY, commonly have acanthosis nigricans, a marker of insulin resistance. Nevertheless, acanthosis is less common in Asians with type 2 diabetes. Third, fasting C-peptide...